With damning new evidence piling up in the case of deported MS-13 gangbanger Kilmar Abrego García and the media trapped defending his gang tattoos, there is a clear need for a new exemplar to promote against the perceived excesses of Trump immigration policy. Tonight, a new consensus poster boy may have emerged in Mohsen Mahdawi.
Watch the glowing coverage garnered by Madhawi on NBC Nightly News:
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS
4/30/25
6:38 PM
LESTER HOLT: Now to an update on a Columbia University student activist detained by the Trump administration. Today a federal judge ordered Mohsen Mahdawi to be released on bail as he fights deportation. We get more from Stephanie Gosk.
STEPHANIE GOSK: Tonight, Palestinian Mohsen Mahdawi is released on bail, and sounding victorious.
MOSHEN MAHDAWI: For anybody who is doubting justice, this is a light of hope. A hope and faith in the justice system and in America.
GOSK: The Columbia University student, who is a legal permanent resident in the U.S., was detained during an immigration interview in Vermont earlier this month, handcuffed and removed by federal agents. Last year, Mahdawi helped lead pro-Palestinian protests on campus. In a statement, the DHS says “a green card is a privilege. When you advocate for violence, glorify and support terrorists that relish the killing of Americans, and harass Jews, it should be revoked.” Mahdawi denies he has ever advocated for violence.
MAHDAWI: They arrested me. What’s the reason? Because I raised my voice.
GOSK: The federal judge ordered Mahdawi released on bail while he challenges his detention. His legal team arguing that the government is trying to silence his opposition to the war in Gaza.
SHEZZA ABBOUSHI DALAL: This is not the first time we’ve seen the government go after basic First Amendment rights.
GOSK: In his ruling, the judge says “Mahdawi appears not to be either a flight risk or a danger to the community.” Adding that “continuing to detain him would likely have a chilling effect on protected speech.” DHS responding, “the Trump administration is committed to restoring the rule of law to our immigration system. No judge, not this one or any other, is going to stop us from doing that.” On the steps of the court, after two weeks in detention, Marawi with a defiant message for the administration.
MAHDAWI: To President Trump and his Cabinet, I am not afraid of you. [ Cheers and applause ]
HOLT: Now, Stephanie, this doesn’t mean he can’t be detained again.
GOSK: That’s right. He still has to challenge his detention in that federal court in Vermont. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is pursuing his deportation in immigration court, Lester.
HOLT: All right. Stephanie Gosk, thank you.
Coverage was glowing, casting Mahdawi as a victim of the Trump administration, and made sure to find the time to frame him as brave and defiant, resisting the evil tyrant Trump. In many ways, coverage mirrored that of Abrego García. That is, until the drip-drip-drip of damning evidence came to light- to wit: allegations confirming Abrego Garcia as a gangbanger going back to 2018, and a 2020 petition for court order alleging that Abrego Garcia bragged about being able to kill his wife with impunity.
Don’t look now, but the drip-drip-drip with Mahdawi has already begun:
Don’t expect to learn from the NY Times or NPR that Mohsen Mahdawi, whose deportation has attracted very sympathetic coverage, was reported to the FBI in 2015 for bragging to a gun shop owner about killing Israeli Jews and that he loved to kill Jews. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/cyYIbV3ONG
— David Bernstein (@ProfDBernstein) May 1, 2025
ABC and CBS also jumped on the Mahdawi bandwagon, albeit with brief reports nowhere near the length and scope of NBC. And as soon as the bloom wears off Mahdawi, they’ll find their next face of resistance.
Below are the transcripts of the aforementioned reports, as aired on their respective networks on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025:
ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT
4/30/25
6:45 PM
DAVID MUIR: Tonight a federal judge has released a Columbia University student activist after two weeks in jail. Moshen Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident, was arrested during an interview to finalize his U.S. citizenship. The Trump administration claims they can deport anyone they believe threatens foreign policy. Mahdawi’s attorneys say he is being punished for legally protected speech and that they expect the government will try to appeal this release now.
CBS EVENING NEWS
4/30/25
6:36 PM
MAURICE DuBOIS: A federal judge in Vermont ordered the release of a Palestinian student activist who led campus protests at Columbia University. Mohsen Mahdawi, a green card holder, had been arrested two weeks ago during a U.S. citizenship interview.
